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Unions threaten nation-wide strike on economic policies

NEW DELHI: Hitting out at the UPA government for pursuing the economic policies of the previous BJP-led NDA government, All-India Trade Union Congress general secretary Gurudas Dasgupta, MP on Wednesday threatened to launch a nation-wide strike if the Centre did not change its labour and economic policies.

Addressing workers here on the second day of the ‘National Satyagraha’, Mr. Dasgupta said the Sponsoring Committee of Central Trade Unions had launched the two-day “Rail Roko and Rasta Roko Satyagraha” across the country to press its 18-point charter of demands.

“The demonstrations were carried out to protest against the spiralling prices of food and essential commodities as a result of the Government’s economic policies. Another worrisome consequence of the Government’s policy is that the farmers in different parts of the country are committing suicides. The trade unions will soon meet in Delhi to review the satyagraha and take a decision on launching a nationwide strike,” he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the turnout for the rally across the country, Mr. Dasgupta said: “On the second day, satyagrahas were held in all States and Union Territories. On Tuesday, organised, unorganised and agriculture workers and women participated in the Rail Roko and Rasta Roko Satyagraha in various States.”

Speaking on the occasion, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Dipankar Mukherjee demanded a comprehensive legislation for the unorganised and agriculture workers. “We are against outsourcing and contractualisation and we want this Government to generate employment. There should be no disinvestment and privatisation of the public sector.”

The 18-point charter of demands includes land reforms, relief to farmers and increase in investment in agriculture.

Among those who addressed the gathering were CITU secretary Tapan Sen and HMS secretary Harbhajan Singh Sidhu.

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